School of Public Health and Community Medicine

Public Management (YMED5003)


In this course we will explore public management in theory and practice. A discussion of public management involves the environment, individuals, politics, and organizations that implement public policy. This course emphasizes both substantive (theory) and skill (practice) development. The substance is the vast literature subsumed under the rubric of public management and organizational theory. The skills are those associated with the practice of understanding and diagnosing public management as well as further developing research and analytical skills. This course will encourage students to bring their experiences to the course thereby extending, challenging, and offering new perspectives resulting in a more in-depth understanding of public management.   Because this course is being offered in the summer semester, we will move quickly. It is imperative that students do not get behind on readings or other assignments.

Course Outcomes

The learning outcomes that students should achieve upon successful completion of this course. 

  1. Develop a thorough understanding of public management, including implications for designing organizations, implementing policy, working in a political and community centered environment, decision making, and the use of technology.
  2. Develop skills to diagnose issues in public management using a theoretical framework.
  3. Develop a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to public management.
  4. Develop the skills and knowledge needed to promote excellence in public and non-profit organizations.
  5. Develop research and analytical skills at a graduate level.
Teaching strategies

This course is being taught by Arizona State University (ASU), and will be offered to UNSW students. The course will be offered solely online, and utilise the internationally renowned online educational systems of ASU.


Assessment Task 1 - Discussion Questions
Weighting: 20%
Duration: n/a

Assessment Task 2 - Case Analysis Assignment
Weighting: 40%
Length: n/a

Assessment Task 3 - Essay
Weighting: 40%
Length: Minimum 20 pages